Industry 5.0 and the Legal Framework: The Digital Code Will Ensure the Balance Between Innovation and Security

On the sidelines of the national Digital Qazaqstan forum, experts and public sector representatives discussed Kazakhstan's new "constitution" of the digital world — the Digital Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the heart of the discussion was how innovation can develop in symbiosis with the protection of human rights. The main address was delivered by Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Dmitry Mun.

According to the Deputy Minister, the adoption of the Code represents the country's deliberate transition from individual IT solutions to the creation of a unified, comprehensible, and secure digital architecture. The document enshrines digital rights for Kazakhstanis at the legislative level for the first time. Every citizen now has clear guarantees: the right to "digital oblivion", anonymisation, and strict control over the processing of personal data.

An important innovation is the accountability of artificial intelligence. The Code introduces the right to appeal decisions made by algorithms where they affect an individual's interests, making the use of AI transparent and socially responsible. At the same time, the law opens the door to future technologies: smart contracts, distributed systems, and biometric identification receive official status, simplifying life for businesses and mobility for citizens.

Dmitry Mun also emphasised that the use of digital technologies and AI is now becoming a mandatory standard for the effective operation of the state apparatus. All government bodies and the quasi-public sector will implement annual digital development programmes, and their results will serve as a direct indicator of leadership effectiveness — one that must translate into real outcomes.

Session participants discussed the experience of neighbouring countries, in particular the work of colleagues from the Kyrgyz Republic, who are also actively developing their digital legislative framework. The exchange of views showed that the creation of regional data and AI regulatory standards helps build trust between the state, business, and society across the entire Central Eurasian space.

Participants agreed that the Code is a living and flexible instrument. It does not merely regulate current processes but lays the foundation for the safe deployment of Industry 5.0 technologies, making Kazakhstan an attractive destination for global technology investment.